The substantial first-innings lead and the partnerships of the attack, were critical factors in the seven-wicket win for Western Province over North West in the CSA Three-Day Provincial Series, said WP coach Paul Adams.​

Adams also heaped praise on Thando Ntini, who played in his maiden first-class match for Western Province. He finished with a match haul of 2-45, including a miserly 1-13 in nine overs in the second innings.

“It was a good, steady start and he bowled with pace,” said Adams.

“The bowling attack as a whole complemented each other well. Mpilo Njoloza and Justin Dill bowled with accuracy, found the right areas regularly and put pressure on the opposition. When unleashed, Michael Cohen bowled several wicket-taking deliveries and captured 4-29 in the first innings. Ntini also did not allow North West to bounce back and operated with pace,” he added.

Adams was upbeat about the first-innings lead against North West. The hosts struck 288 at PPC Newlands, with Jack Newby striking 60. When he and André Malan got out at the end of the day, Dill gave the innings some momentum with an unbeaten 80. That gave the hosts a 147-run cushion going into the second innings.

Njoloza finished with 3-34 in the second innings. Ntini bowled like a true professional with 1-13 in nine overs.

Adams said Province will have to be at their best and continue the formula for success by setting up the game through a good first-innings score as their next opponents, KwaZulu-Natal Inland, are a very strong opponent.

“I am very happy for Thando making his debut. He has a bright future and the potential to deliver match-winning performances in the future for WP. He has settled in nicely and there will always be room for improvement. I am also very confident that he will feed off his management team which will assist him in transition to the next level,” said Clinton du Preez, cricket services manager of the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA).

“We say: ‘like father, like son’, but it can be burdensome if your father is a living legend and it creates expectations. However, we believe Thando is humble and has the maturity and talent to excel,” said Nabeal Dien, chief executive officer of WPCA.